Dominican Republic has exported more than 55 thousand pounds of larimar this year.

BARAHONA. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, informed this Friday that more than 55,000 pounds of larimar havLarimarexported this year to markets such as China, Switzerland, Peru, and India, showing the world the value of this Dominican semi-precious stone.

Santos offered this information during the commemoration of the National Larimar Day in the municipal district of Bahoruco, Barahona province, the only place in the world where this singular pectolite is found.

In addition, the Minister announced the installation of technological equipment that allows close monitoring of any risk of landslides, guaranteeing the safety of the miners and the neighboring communities.

He also indicated that the mine has designed new dumps to protect the land’s stability and minimize the environmental impact, ensuring the mine’s sustainable future.

Regarding the site’s electrification, Joel Santos said that the improvement of the electrical system, promoted by the Dirección de Electrificiación Rural y Suburbana (DERS), has already been noticed so that the mining works can count on a constant energy supply.

In terms of safety, he said that 40 miners were trained in first aid this year, and a detailed safety guide was implemented.

Likewise, a Primary Care Unit was established to meet the health needs of workers and the community.

The meeting, framed in Law 17-18 that declares the lLarimaras the National Stone of the Dominican Republic, brought together authorities of the MEM and other state institutions, who highlighted the cultural and economic importance of this blue-green mineral, a true national heritage.

The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment, led by President Luis Abinader, to improving working and safety conditions in the extraction of larimar

“Behind each stone there is a human effort that deserves recognition and support,” he said.

Promising future for the mine

Minister Santos announced new initiatives, such as using 3D modeling to improve excavations and opening a permanent technical assistance office.

An ambulance will soon be installed in the mine, reinforcing medical care in the area.

A symbol of effort and hope

The incumbent promised to visit the Larimar mine in February 2025 to hold a working table with the local government and address other needs in the area.

In this sense, he ordered the creation of a work plan to promote the stone in conjunction with the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (Prodominicana), which projects this product even more internationally, and the integration of it as part of the development of cruise tourism, both in Barahona and Pedernales.

Local artisans and miners participated in the celebration, which recognized them as the true protagonists behind the development of this industry.

During the celebration, Miguel Méndez, a pioneer of stone craftsmanship who baptized it as lLarimarin in honor of his daughter, was recognized.

Meanwhile, posthumously, the career of Plinio Moreta, one of the first pectolite miners who dedicated his life to this trade and whose recognition was received by his family, was honored.

Present at the meeting were Genara González Mármoles, the governor of Barahona; Francisco Gómez, mayor of the municipal district of Bahoruco and miner; Míctor Fernández de la Cruz, mayor of Barahona; Rafael Gómez, Deputy Minister of Energy; Rolando Muñoz, director of Mining; Golye Latoufe, director of Mining Promotion; Joel Ramírez, advisor to the Minister; Jackeline Nivar; director of Social Management; Ramón Guillén, general director of Fodearte; José de Ferrari, general director of Cenadarte, Miguel Méndez, the pioneer who baptized the stone Larimar and Francisco Méndez, president of the Las Filipinas Cooperative.

On this National Larimar Day, the MEM reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and promoting this resource, highlighting it as an emblem of wealth, effort, and hope for the Dominican Republic.

Photo 1 The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, presides over the commemorative event of National Larimar Day 2024.

Photo 2 Minister Joel Santos shares with the 40 miners from LLarimarwho who received training in occupational safety protocols.

Photo 3: The celebration was attended by miners, artisans, goldsmiths, representatives of the national media, and municipal and government authorities.

Photo 4 Miguel Méndez, recognized as the baptizer of the larimar stone, is honored by the Ministry of Energy and Mines during the commemoration.